Texans: healthy Foster imperative for run attack

As Arian Foster’s hamstring injury continues to linger, the Texan’s run game continues to plummet. Through the first two weeks of the season, a healthy Arian Foster was the workhorse for what was one of the premier run games in the league.

Foster compiled 55 carries for 241 yards, an average of 4.3 yards per carry. Foster, who seemed quite shifty early in the season, was able to force 13 missed tackles through the first two weeks. In Week 1, Foster forced seven missed tackles (tied for fourth best) and registered an Elusive Rating (ER)of 42.9. In Week 2, Foster was able to force six missed tackles (fourth best) and registered an ER of 59.3.

In the absence of Foster, who was inactive in Week 3 and only carried the ball eight times in Week 4, Alfred Blue has carried the ball 34 times for 127 yards and has only forced one missed tackle, an Elusive Rating of 5.9, one of the worst in the league.

Also, Blue’s 3.7 average may be a bit skewed, as a chunk of Blue’s 127 rush yards came on a single attempt as he galloped for 46 yards running off of the left tackle in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

Clearly, Houston’s run game isn’t the same without a healthy Arian Foster. Hamstring injuries are always tricky; hopefully Foster’s doesn’t continue to affect his play.